Vilma Santos (right) with Christopher de Leon —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Love teams come and go, but the tandem of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon has stood the test of the box office and time. After four decades, Ate Vi and Boyet’s chemistry has not lost its magic.
The iconic duo portray overseas Filipino workers (Ason and Joey) in their twilight years in “When I Met You in Tokyo” (opens Dec 25 at the Metro Manila Film Festival). They realize that when it comes to love, age must not be a cage.
While Ate Vi and I were chatting, she teased me, “Our movie will make you want to fall in love again.” I shot back, “Quota na si Cupid sa akin.”
She replied, “Walang quota-quota sa love, just keep your heart open.” Then, I asked her in jest, “Should I keep my legs open, too?” We both had a good laugh.
If your heart is under renovation, let Ason and Joey’s story remind you that love is not always about fireworks. It can come quietly and keep you warm just like a fireplace.
Here’s my chat with Ate Vi:
After countless movies together, what makes your working relationship with Boyet different this time around?
In our previous. movies, we had heavy scenes and dramatic confrontations. This time, there are no histrionics and no third party. After the pandemic and with all the crazy things going on, like inflation and war, our movie is like a breath of fresh air. Yetbo and I fell in love with our characters. We didn’t rehearse before our scenes. Come what may na lang, so it came out raw and natural.
How did Boyet and you avoid falling for each other’s charms all these years?
You’re so pilya talaga, friend (laughs). Yetbo was married to Guy (Nora Aunor) when we did our first movie. We were both emotionally unavailable every time we worked together. It’s either I had a boyfriend or he had a girlfriend. Out of mutual respect, we have kept our platonic love intact.
What’s your advice to seniors who are wary of giving love another chance after losing their spouse?
Let go of fear and let your heart lead the way. Don’t deprive yourself of the true joy and kilig that only love can give.
What’s your biggest realization after you turned a year lovelier this month?
Challenges in life are nonstop. If you can’t find the solution, don’t wallow. Tomorrow is another day. It feels good to grow old when you have something to show for it.
When your granddaughter Peanut is of age, will you allow her to join show biz ?
Ako pa ba (laughs)? Deep in my heart, I know Peanut is bound to be an actress. Baby pa lang, she already knows how to flirt with the camera. And she makes people fall in love with her instantly. But of course, it’s up to Lucky and Jessie if they will let her follow in our footsteps.
From left: Micaella Raz, Matthew Francisco and Ronnie Lazaro —VIVAMAX
A brother’s revenge
Since my “migo” Ronnie Lazaro has a slew of movies on Vivamax (VM), I chided him that during his prime when he starred in “Boatman” (1985), he could give the VM studs a run for their money.
“Araro” (now streaming on VM), Ronnie’s latest series that is directed by Topel Lee, also stars Vince Rillon, Robb Guinto, Matthew Francisco and Micaella Raz. It’s about a man who seeks revenge for the murder of his sister.
He targets his enemy’s core by tricking his foe’s inner circle with his wit and sex appeal. He has mastered the art of vendetta.
Here are quotes from Vince (V), Micaella (M) and Ronnie (R):
V: Not to seek revenge is easier said than done, especially when you’re young cause you get carried away by your anger. Our series shows that revenge will make you self-destruct.
M: The love scenes that Vince and I had in “Boso Dos” are milder than the ones in this series. We took turns in dominating each other in bed.
R: I’m game to do a remake of “Boatman” on VM, but of course I will no longer play the title role. Instead, I will be the father of the boatman. VM stars are more daring than me and my coactors back in the day. The young generation has more freedom now. The way they do sexy scenes makes sexy movies during my time seem obsolete.
V: Direk Topel made me do things in our movie that I have never done in my sex life. I got shocked with the various ways of intimacy, but it was exciting to experiment.
M: It’s flattering when men fantasize about me. That means I’m effective in doing my craft. But I get offended when some men go overboard by sending me obscene pictures.
R: I wonder if the sexy movies now are more of art than the sexy movies before, or is it the other way around? But you cannot really question one’s form of expression.
Rhen Escaño —XANDER ANGELES
‘One last shocking performance’ in ‘Marita’
Marita was one of the greatest actresses in university theater productions. She was not pleased when other actors upstaged her. But Marita refused to be totally forgotten, so she gave one last shocking performance by committing suicide in front of the audience.
Viva Films takes these true events further in the film “Marita,” directed by Roni Benaid (now showing in theaters).
It stars Louise delos Reyes as professor Sandra, Ashtine Olviga as Cristina, with Rhen Escaño playing the title role.
After many years, the university’s theater group is revived with Sandra as the head. She calls for auditions in Socorro Hall, which has a creepy vibe. The production they’re putting up is set. But something sinister is trying to stop them.
Cristina, the lead actress, hears a woman’s voice when she rehearses her lines. Props are either getting ruined or disappearing. Freak accidents are stressing everyone out.
Sandra goes over and beyond the call of duty to save her students from Marita’s wrath. The show must go on, not the curse.